Dakar, Dec 26 (APS) – The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the body responsible for financing the private sector at the World Bank, announces that it has granted a green loan of 49.1 billion CFA francs to Sococim and a loan of 6.5 billion CFA francs to the Azalaï hotel group.
The financing from Sococim will enable this Senegalese cement plant to ‘increase the production of low-carbon cement and contribute to filling the housing deficit in the country’, explains the IFC in a press release published at the end of a visite à Dakar de son directeur général, le Sénégalais Makhtar Diop.
”Following previous financing granted in February 2023, the new financing from the IFC will support the plan to modernize Sococim’s operations, including the adoption of more efficient technologies and alternative fuels,” explains the International Finance Corporation.
She adds that ”this initiative should make it possible to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions by 312,000 tonnes [de gaz carbonique] per year, by 2030”.
In Senegal, Makhtar Diop spoke with several personalities, including the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
”These plans include the recently opened Azalaï Dakar hotel in the Senegalese capital, the reconstruction of the Azalaï Independance hotel in Ouagadougou, and the refurbishment of the Grand Hôtel Bamako, in Bamako,” the statement said.
He assures that ”the investment of the IFC […] will promote the creation of qualified direct and indirect formal jobs.
The financing provided by the International Finance Corporation ”will stimulate the development of local supply chains in target countries, particularly for SMEs”.
”These projects underline IFC’s commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth and development in Senegal. By investing in key sectors such as tourism and manufacturing, the IFC and its partners are laying the foundations for a stronger and more resilient private sector, assures Makhtar Diop.
”Create opportunities, improve living standards…”
The press release, quoting Mr. Diop, added that the financing of these projects is proof of the International Finance Corporation’s ”commitment” to ”creating opportunities, improving living standards and fostering inclusive growth. for the Senegalese people.
In Senegal, Makhtar Diop met the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, as well as his colleagues in charge of Energy , Oil and Mines, Industry and Commerce.
Mr. Diop also spoke with leaders of the private sector and founders of technological start-ups.
”He underlined the growing commitment of the IFC to supporting the development and diversification of the country’s economy,” the press release reported.
ESF/SMD
